Hearts on Ice

Attached.

The meeting began officially. The teasing slowly came to an end and the room fell quiet, only the coach's voice was heard. Viktor kept avoiding eye contact with Lukas who was clearly staring directly at him…or maybe just lost in thoughts and Viktor happened to be in his field of vision and it made Viktor uncomfortable.

“Reiner!” The coach's voice pulled Lukas out of his thoughts, “Focus!” And he nodded. The team members laughed…some in secret, others didn't hide it.

The coach continued, “We'll be playing a friendly game with another college.” Everyone turned. “I need to see how ready y'all are for the main game”

There was a small shift in the room. It moved from excitement to whispers of disagreement. Some sat up straighter as though they were ready for the game while others exchanged looks, already calculating their chances of being on the bench.

Lukas didn’t react. He was still staring, still unaware everyone could tell and this time, Viktor noticed..Their eyes met for a second—just a split second—but it was enough for Viktor to look away again, jaw tightening slightly.

“Now listen carefully,” the coach continued, pacing slowly in front of them. “I’ll be selecting the first line… and the bench.”

And heavy silence followed. The coach ignored the tension and names started coming.

“Reiner.”

To no one's surprise.

“Sam.”

A nod.

“Johnson”

More names followed, one after the other, each one settling into position but Viktor waited…still and patient. He knew he was one of the best in the team, he had nothing to worry about the same way Lukas had nothing to fear.

“Now, the bench.” He continued and Viktor's name came later. Not even first…not where or how he expected it but it did come eventually.

“Volkov.” A pause followed. “Bench.”

The rink fell quiet again…too quiet. Not because it was shocking but because it meant something. Lukas’s head tilted slightly…his eyes fixated on the coach, just enough to show he heard it but he didn’t say anything…Not yet.

The coach clapped his hands once dismissing everyone.

“That’s all for now. Training for the game starts tomorrow morning. Dismissed.”

Chairs shifted and voices returned. The room slowly came back to life but Viktor was left behind, dead.

“Volkov.” The coach’s voice cut through again, his eyes and expressions still unreasonable. Viktor paused. “Stay behind.”

That was it and nothing more. Simple and direct but it landed heavier than it should have. His mind kept racing. Why was he the one being called out of the people present? Had he done anything? His mind was far from ease.

Lukas was already standing, his hands in his pockets.

“No need,” he said almost immediately. “I’ll handle it.”

It came out too fast and too planned. Like it wasn’t something he thought about before saying but it backfired. The coach repeated slowly, as though trying to get it to sink in.

“... you'll handle it?”

Lukas didn't stop or back down. His tone remained professional like he had made up his mind.

“It's fine, coach…” he paused. “I'll talk to him.”

“It's not your responsibility, Reiner.” He replied shutting him up but Lukas refused.

“Sir, with all due res–” the coach snapped.

“Reiner! This is not your responsibility!”

Lukas didn't speak again. Not because he couldn't, but because of what'll happen if he did. Silence pressed in, the room was suddenly colder but Lukas maintained his gaze on the coach…a little longer than he had expected.

“Now everyone else” the coach continued, “out.” And everyone moved without questioning, no one wanted to be within that tension. Viktor didn't move at first…neither did Lukas. The coach maintained eye contact with Lukas and he slowly stepped back. The door closed behind the last person, leaving just Viktor.

By the time Viktor stepped out, Lukas was still waiting…his back was resting on the wall, his arms folded and his hair was finally in a bun. The moment their eyes met, Lukas had an expression of relief or happiness…Viktor couldn't quite place it but neither of them spoke.

Until…

“What did he say?” Lukas eventually broke the awkward silence.

“Nothing important.”

That was a lie… a very weak one.

Lukas pushed himself off the wall and walked towards him.

“Doesn't look like anything.” He held up Viktor's chin and looked into his eyes. He had been crying.

Viktor shrugged and walked past like Lukas didn't just see tears.

“It's fine.”

“Fine doesn't put you on the bench.” Lukas walked to him again. “You're almost as good as me.” That made Viktor lose composure.

“Lukas…it's just a friendly game…” he said, his voice softer.

“But it's not just that…it's not fair” he kept closing the gap between him and Viktor.

Viktor turned slightly, eyes watering. “So what do you want me to tell you?” His voice shook, “That your coach doesn't like me close to you?” Viktor went silent, like he was trying not to cry. Lukas didn't answer because he knew that wasn't just it.

“Let's drop it…” Viktor said, softer now and for once, Lukas listened. The tension didn't disappear…it just shifted.

Later that evening, the rink was quieter than usual, just blades on ice and Viktor watching from a distance. The rink grew emptier and Lukas stayed longer than he needed to and so did Viktor.

Viktor leaned slightly against the barrier, watching Lukas run drills alone. He was sharp and focused. He looked kind of controlled and it made Viktor exhale.

“You're overdoing it!” He yelled loud enough for Lukas to hear.

“You're underdoing it!” he shot back, his voice sharp.

A small huff escaped Viktor's mouth as he pushed the barrier and skated towards him.

“Still mad?”

Lukas ignored, still training.

“Should I be?”

Viktor didn’t answer immediately. He just stood there motionless but close enough. The space between them felt smaller again…easier and Viktor took advantage. But before he could –

“I don’t like it,” Lukas said after a moment.

“Being on the bench?” Viktor asked.

“No.” Then a pause.

“You being treated like that.”

Viktor’s expression softened slightly, his eyes locked on Lukas's.

“You don’t have to fight all my battles.”

“I’m not fighting,” Lukas replied.

“Then what are you doing?”

Lukas didn’t answer because even he didn’t know and silence settled again but this time, it wasn't heavy. Viktor stepped closer again.

“You keep doing that thing,” he murmured.

“Doing what?”

“Looking at me like that.”

Lukas frowned slightly.

“I’m not—”

“You are.” He took another step closer and the tension flipped but softer this time. Viktor’s hand brushed lightly against Lukas’s wrist…not holding, just there and Lukas didn’t pull away.

“…we’re fine,” Viktor said, almost like he was convincing himself.

Lukas let out a quiet breath.

“Yeah.”

They weren’t.

“You’re getting attached.”

The voice came from behind them and both of them froze. It was familiar and Lukas's head shot back first. The coach stood a few steps away watching them. Not surprised…not confused, just… certain.

Neither of them spoke, the air shifted again but colder this time.

“You’re letting it affect your judgment,” the coach continued, his eyes fixed on Lukas.

Lukas didn’t look away or deny it. He didn’t explain either. He just stood there and the silence answered more questions than Lukas would answer.